UN Security Council to hold emergency meeting after Israel recognises Somaliland
The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency session on Monday to discuss Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, amid cr...
Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia have strengthened their strategic economic partnership with new projects in the capital’s development plan, including the construction of the ‘Riyadh Quarter’ in New Tashkent and the launch of a new international airport.
The agreements, signed during high-level meetings, bring the total portfolio of joint initiatives to $30 billion.
Investment Portfolio
At the latest session of the Uzbekistan–Saudi Arabia Intergovernmental Commission and Business Council, the two sides signed 10 new agreements worth $4 billion across energy, healthcare, industry, and transport. Minister of Investments, Industry and Trade Laziz Kudratov said these were “not sovereign loans but direct foreign investments — a sign of Saudi Arabia’s trust in Uzbekistan”.
Saudi Arabia’s ACWA Power continues to play a central role in Uzbekistan’s renewable energy transition, operating solar and wind plants in Tashkent, Bukhara, and Karakalpakstan, as well as managing the Shirin Energy College in Syrdarya. A major new project with Vision Invest (Saudi Arabia) and Air Products (United States) will focus on producing sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) for Uzbekistan’s expanding aviation sector.
New Tashkent Projects
One of the flagship Saudi-backed projects will be the construction of the ‘Riyadh Quarter’ in New Tashkent, to be developed jointly by Al Majdiah and First Avenue companies from Saudi Arabia. The initiative is expected to become a residential and commercial hub symbolising bilateral friendship. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev described it as “a bridge uniting the two nations”.
Aviation Expansion
As part of Uzbekistan’s broader infrastructure modernisation, President Mirziyoyev has also laid the foundation for a new international airport in New Tashkent, to be built in partnership with Vision Invest (Saudi Arabia, 45%), Sojitz Corporation (Japan, 30%), Incheon Airport Corporation (South Korea, 15%), and Uzbekistan Airports (10%). The $2.6 billion project, designed by Dutch firm NACO Consulting, will cover 1,310 hectares and serve up to 20 million passengers annually.
The country also plans to increase its total aircraft fleet from 105 to 180 over the next five years. Recent contracts include Uzbekistan Airways’ order for 14 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners and an option for 8 more, as well as agreements to acquire 14 Airbus aircraft and lease 5 additional planes.
These steps would help transform Uzbekistan into a “regional aviation hub connecting East and West”. The expanded fleet and airport complex could generate $700 million in annual revenue.
New York placed the state under emergency measures on Friday as a powerful winter storm brought the heaviest snowfall since 2022, disrupting travel across the north-east of the United States.
Russia launched missiles and drones at Kyiv and other parts of Ukraine overnight on Saturday, Ukrainian officials said, ahead of talks on Sunday between President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump aimed at ending nearly four years of war.
The United States carried out a strike against Islamic State militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria's government, President Donald Trump and the U.S. military said on Thursday.
Israel became the first country to formally recognise Somaliland as an independent state on Friday, drawing strong condemnation from Somalia and regional and international organisations.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he will meet U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday to discuss territory and security guarantees, as diplomatic efforts intensify to end Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Italian authorities have arrested nine people on suspicion of financing Hamas through Italy based charities, prosecutors said on Saturday, in an operation coordinated by anti mafia and anti terrorism units.
The UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency session on Monday to discuss Israel’s recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, amid criticism from African, Middle Eastern, and other international actors.
Two people were killed and 26 others injured after a massive multi vehicle crash on a major expressway in Japan as the country began its end of year holiday travel period, police said on Saturday.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Saturday that Russian forces have captured the Ukrainian towns of Myrnohrad in Donetsk region and Huliaipole in Zaporizhzhia region, describing the developments as part of the ongoing "special military operation."
Canada will provide an additional $2.5 billion in economic aid to Ukraine, Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Saturday, as he met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a stopover in Halifax ahead of Zelenskyy’s visit to the United States.
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